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What happens if I don’t pay a bailiff?

If you don’t make payments the goods that have been taken into control will be removed and sold.

The bailiff will return, usually with a van or tow-truck, and take the goods listed in the inventory. They can’t take any extra goods which weren’t included in the inventory.

If you refuse to let the bailiff in they can apply to the court for a warrant to force entry. This will add extra costs to your debt.

If you try to physically stop a bailiff from taking your goods you could be arrested.

Once your goods have been removed, they’ll be taken to storage. You’ll be sent a letter stating the estimated value of the goods. Then they’ll be sold, usually at a public auction.

There’ll normally be at least 10 days between removal and auction, and you may still be able to make a last-minute arrangement to pay the debt in this time.

If the auction goes ahead, your goods will be sold and the money raised will pay off the debt and the bailiff’s fees.

If there’s any money left over it’ll be refunded to you. But if the auction doesn’t raise enough to clear the whole debt, your creditor can take further action to collect this from you. This might be further court action, such as an attachment of earnings or even bankruptcy.

Bailiffs coming? We can give you debt help

A letter or visit from a bailiff is sign that you need free and impartial debt help. We can give expert budgeting advice to help deal with the bailiff debt and manage your situation.

To build a budget and get a personal action plan to deal with your debts now, use our Debt Remedy advice tool. It’s free to use, confidential and only takes around 20 minutes to complete.

Or if you’d prefer to speak to us, call our Helpline (free from all landlines and mobiles). We’re open from Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.